Apparatus and method for coating product in flavouring

Abstract

A flavouring apparatus for coating product in flavouring is provided. The apparatus comprises a flavouring receptacle configured for receiving a portion of product and a dose of flavouring. The flavouring receptacle comprises an open first end arranged to receive the portion of product in use, a peripheral sidewall at least partly defining a flavouring volume extending from the first end of the flavouring receptacle, the flavouring volume for receiving the portion of product and dose of flavouring, and an ejecting member movable relative to the peripheral sidewall through the flavouring volume towards the first end for ejecting a flavoured portion of product out of the flavouring volume through the first end of the flavouring receptacle. The apparatus comprises a drive system configured to rotate at least the peripheral sidewall of the flavouring receptacle so as to cause mixing of the portion of product and the dose of flavouring in the flavouring volume. In use, the flavouring receptacle is arranged such that the portion of product and the dose of flavouring are retained in the flavouring volume during rotation of the peripheral sidewall. A corresponding method of coating product in flavouring is also provided.

1 . A flavouring apparatus for coating product in flavouring comprising:
 a flavouring receptacle configured for receiving a portion of product and a dose of flavouring, the flavouring receptacle comprising:
 an open first end arranged to receive the portion of product in use, 
 a peripheral sidewall at least partly defining a flavouring volume extending from the first end of the flavouring receptacle, the flavouring volume for receiving the portion of product and dose of flavouring, and 
 an ejecting member movable relative to the peripheral sidewall through the flavouring volume towards the first end for ejecting a flavoured portion of product out of the flavouring volume through the first end of the flavouring receptacle; and 
   a drive system configured to rotate at least the peripheral sidewall of the flavouring receptacle so as to cause mixing of the portion of product and the dose of flavouring in the flavouring volume;   wherein, in use, the flavouring receptacle is arranged such that the portion of product and the dose of flavouring are retained in the flavouring volume during rotation of the peripheral sidewall.   
     
     
         2 . A flavouring apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of flavouring receptacles configured for receiving respective portions of product and respective doses of flavouring, wherein the drive system is configured to rotate at least the peripheral sidewalls of each of the flavouring receptacles so as to cause mixing of the respective portions of product and the respective doses of flavouring and wherein, in use, the portion of product and the dose of flavouring are retained in the flavouring volume during rotation of the peripheral sidewall. 
     
     
         3 . A flavouring apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a transport system configured to move each of the plurality of flavouring receptacles sequentially to a product delivery position for receiving a portion of product. 
     
     
         4 . A flavouring apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a transport system configured to move each of the plurality of flavouring receptacles sequentially to a product ejection position at which the flavoured portion of product is ejected. 
     
     
         5 . A flavouring apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the transport system is configured to move each of the plurality of flavouring receptacles along a path defining a closed loop. 
     
     
         6 . A flavouring apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of flavouring receptacles form a first set of flavouring receptacles and further comprising a second set of flavouring receptacles, wherein the transport system is configured to move each of the second set of flavouring receptacles sequentially to a second product delivery position for receiving a portion of product. 
     
     
         7 . A flavouring apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each flavouring receptacle further comprises a base, wherein the peripheral sidewall extends between the first end and the base, thereby defining the flavouring volume. 
     
     
         8 . A flavouring apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the or each flavouring receptacle is mounted such that, in use, the first end of the flavouring receptacle is arranged above and laterally offset from the base. 
     
     
         9 . A flavouring apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral sidewall of the or each flavouring receptacle defines a flavouring volume having a substantially constant cross-section. 
     
     
         10 . A flavouring apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the ejecting member of the or each flavouring receptacle has a shape that substantially matches the cross-section of the flavouring volume. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A flavouring apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the ejecting member of the or each flavouring receptacle forms at least part of the base. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A flavouring apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral sidewall of the or each flavouring receptacle comprises at least one projecting member that projects into the flavouring volume for agitating the portion of product and the dose of flavouring during mixing by rotation of the peripheral sidewall of the flavouring receptacle. 
     
     
         15 . A flavouring apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the or each flavouring receptacle is mounted such that, in use, an axis passing through a centre of the first end and a centre of the base makes an angle of no more than 45° to the horizontal, preferably no more than 30° to the horizontal, such that product and flavouring in the flavouring volume are supported by the peripheral sidewall during mixing. 
     
     
         16 . A flavouring apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral sidewall of the or each flavouring receptacle is shaped such that, in use, the peripheral sidewall is generally inclined at an angle of no more than 45° to the horizontal, preferably no more than 30° to the horizontal, such that product and flavouring in the flavouring volume are supported by the peripheral sidewall during mixing. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A flavouring apparatus according to  claim 1  comprising a control system configured to control one or more of the drive system, the transport system and the actuating system. 
     
     
         20 . A flavouring apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each ejecting member is configured to move in a reciprocal fashion from a first position, adopted during mixing of the product and flavouring, to a second position proximate the first end of the flavouring receptacle for ejecting flavoured product. 
     
     
         21 . A flavouring apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a flavouring dispenser arranged to dispense a measured dose of flavouring at least at one flavouring delivery position for receipt in the or each flavouring receptacle via the first end of the flavouring receptacle. 
     
     
         22 . A system for preparing flavoured portions of product comprising the flavouring apparatus according to  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 a product portioning apparatus arranged to receive product in bulk and discharge a measured portion of product at least at one product delivery position for receipt in the or each flavouring receptacle.   
     
     
         23 . A system according to  claim 22 , further comprising a packaging apparatus arranged to receive and individually package each flavoured portion of product ejected at the product ejection position. 
     
     
         24 . A method of coating product in flavouring comprising:
 providing a portion of product to a flavouring receptacle, the flavouring receptacle comprising an open first end arranged to receive the portion of product in use and a peripheral sidewall at least partly defining a flavouring volume extending from the first end of the flavouring receptacle, the flavouring volume for receiving the portion of product and dose of flavouring;   providing a dose of flavouring into the flavouring receptacle;   rotating at least the peripheral sidewall of the flavouring receptacle so as to cause mixing of the portion of product and the dose of flavouring in the flavouring receptacle; and   ejecting the flavoured product through the first end of the flavouring receptacle by moving an ejecting member through the flavouring volume towards the first end;   wherein the flavouring receptacle is arranged such that the portion of product and the dose of flavouring are retained in the flavouring volume during rotation of the peripheral sidewall.